Eastern’s campus will have a march to remember Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday.

Khelan Todd, the president of Alpha Phi Alpha, said this year is a special year because it is the 25th year of the candlelight march and celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. at Eastern.

“It’s a way to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Todd said.

Faculty, students and staff will meet at Thomas Hall at 5:30 p.m. to hand out candles and organize for the march from Thomas Hall to the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Todd said students and faculty will benefit from the march.

“At the march, while we are handing out candles, it give students and faculty the chance to interact socially and get to know one another,” Todd said.

Todd said while participants march, they will sing songs and chants until they reach the union, which is named for the man they are celebrating.

“It adds an element to the event,” Todd said. “It is like marching to his legacy and to his accomplishments because if he hadn’t accomplished so many things in his lifetime, this union wouldn’t have been named after him.”

At the program audience members will be given drinks and snacks.

Todd said in past years they have had a keynote speaker during the program, but are doing something different this year.

“We are finding different and new innovative ways to celebrate his legacy, whether that is songs, speech, things that keep the audience entertained but give commencement.”

Todd said this year’s program is special because of the number of years it has taken place.

“It going to be a bit of a surprise, we don’t want to give away to much, but you will definitely be entertained,” Todd said. “We are just trying to take it to the next level then previous years because it is the 25th anniversary.”

Todd said they will be acknowledging some students, faculty and staff at the program, but would not say anything past that.

Todd said he thinks it is important to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

“Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of distinction, he was a trail blazer and he was an outsider,” Todd said. “He was able to step outside of his race, comfort zone, what he is use to, to see the bigger picture. That is something that I hope to acquire someday.”

Todd said in previous years there has been between 50 to 100 students and faculty who attend the event.

“I think this event has become a part of EIU history, so I think people will make an extra effort to come out,” Todd said.

Todd said he believe Martin Luther King Jr. was influential because he believed in doing the right thing and feels it is important to commemorate him because of that.

“He had millions of people behind him, but even if he didn’t have those million of people behind him, I know he would still be walking, walking in the name of justice and equality,” Todd said.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].